In the past six months, my pickup has developed an intermittent metallic rattling sound coming from the rear especially when I accelerate and turn. It sounds like it is coming from the rear axle area, but I can't find anything loose or missing. Has anyone had this happen and been able to locate the reason? I know this isn't much to go on....... It is more irritating and worrisome than anything else.
Thanks!

 

If it's not your ujoint in the rear it has to be inside the axle. Gears, bearings, diff could be a few things. Can you tell if the sound is coming from one side or in the middle?

 

It sounds like its from the middle. My diagnostic method involved jogging behind it as my buddy drove slowly and trying to identify the location. LOL

 

-Check your leaf spring packs for a possible broken leaf. could be axle wrap, also inspect the spring/shackle bushings
-Rotate your driveshaft by hand, it shoud not have a ton of play in it, possible u-joints
-drain the rear diff fluid and check for chunks of metal when it is coming out..with that make sure you have enough fluid in there

the part that sucks is that it could be ton of things...

 

Check the exhaust system for broken hangers around the tail pipe and muffler, a broken heat shield on the catalytic converter. Something under the up in the fuel tank shield. And my all time favorite if you have one, the spare tire is loose or if no spare the chain is moving around and hitting.

 

Yeah, I'd check that spare; start with the simple stuff first.